Marion Harding Wallace Loved Chappaquiddick Community

Marion May Harding Wallace died peacefully at Massachusetts General Hospital on Nov. 4. She was 65 years old.

Marion was born at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital on May 23, 1940, the only child of the late Ralph Lathrop Harding, a descendant of the Herring Pond Tribe, and Marion May Devine of what was once Gay Head, a member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) and descendant of the Cooper, Devine, Howwasswee and Jerrod families.

She was raised on her beloved Chappaquiddick, where her father Ralph was the caretaker for the Welch family at Pimpneymouse Farm for 63 years. The Welch family was a vital part of her daily life for generations, including Edith (Edo) Potter and her extended family who called and visited frequently. As a child, Marion followed Ralph around and assisted him with all the chores on the farm, milking the cows and collecting the eggs. The Welch family considered Marion as a daughter for years and subsequently as a special friend.

Marion was an elder of the Wampanoag tribe. As a child, she always looked forward to visits with their extended family and friends in Gay Head. Her traditional recipes from her elders were enjoyed by her friends over the years.

She was the cherished niece of the late Jesse and Flossie Devine Jeffers, whom she considered as her grandparents; they in turn considered her as their grandchild.

She was graduated from Edgartown High School in 1958, and went on to attend the Campbell School in New Bedford on a scholarship provided by the Edgartown Firemen's Association.

She was a member of the Chappaquiddick fire department, driving the fire engine when it was not even heard of to have a female firefighter on the squad, but she knew every road on Chappy and knew where everyone resided. Woe to the firefighter who climbed in the driver's seat before she arrived at the station!

The late Arthur Young offered Marion her first real job as a young woman. She worked first as a cashier for Arthur and his wife, Nancy Convery, at their Harborside Inn, then became the private secretary to Arthur, and ultimately their reservation manager. Nancy felt Marion was "the main part of management at the Harborside Inn." Marion cared for Arthur during his illnesses, spending her winters with the Youngs at their home in Florida. She was considered not only an employee but also a friend.

She was a master of many skills including crocheting, knitting and especially her culinary delights. Sharing her traditional recipes as well as needlework patterns with friends was a joy to her. In her spare time, Marion knitted and crocheted baby blankets and hats for premature infants and hats for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments; most often they were sent to patients across the country.

Marion was known for her generosity. She had a great influence on so many and was known for her kindness and caring, thus the reason she became a certified nursing assistant.

She had traveled to most of the states, to Canada and the Caribbean, but most often spent her winters in Florida.

Marion was a dear and special friend to many people, having a special place in her heart individually for each one and they for her as well. The past five years had been quite difficult for her due to her medical conditions; they essentially rendered her homebound, yet her courage was an inspiration to all.

Her friends across the Vineyard and her Chappy neighbors each had a specific duty that was theirs alone. Whether it was traveling with her to medical appointments, receiving her 20 books a month from the library, picking up fresh vegetables from the farm, traveling to Aquinnah for elder luncheons or off-Island for tribal socials, receiving fresh fish or quahaugs or venison, painting her trim or wallpapering a room, sharing a scrumptious French meat pie, building a ramp for wheelchair access to her front door, clearing her long driveway, enjoying a day trip to the mainland, taking part in Mindful Knitting at the Anchors on Monday evenings, luncheons or dinner out, a game of Scrabble or dominoes or Sequence, a luncheon in exchange for her stove repair, a daily telephone call or just a ride to enjoy the scenery - all were so very meaningful to her.

In turn, Marion could make the most delectable meal at a moment's notice; she was widely known for her exceptional cooking abilities. She often laughed about her Wheelchair Caterers, but it was oh so true as she maneuvered around the kitchen with such ease in her wheelchair while preparing meals for her guests.

Chappaquiddick was an integral part of Marion's life and she was an integral part of the Chappy community. After the stormy winter of 2005, when Chappy lost its power during six separate storms, she single-handedly, through her diligent efforts and tenacity, convinced the power company to replace the old and many-times spliced wires on Chappaquiddick Point.

She served for more than 10 years as a director of the Chappaquiddick Community Center and was known for her fund-raising and organizational skills including her Thanksgiving bake sales and winter evening potluck socials. As a director, she was adamant that the center stay true to its mission statement of serving all of Chappaquiddick. Often outspoken, she had strong principles and no qualms about voicing her opinions on this and other community affairs. When made aware of her death, one longtime resident remarked "Chappy has lost its conscience."

Edo Potter once remarked that perhaps the real community center was at Marion's home, where friends always dropped in and new friendships were formed by those who met for the first time at Marion's.

Marion cared for residents of Chappy when they were ill, nursing them back to good health and cooking meals for their nourishment. She performed the same task for friends in Edgartown as well, especially the Orcutt family.

In addition to being a director of the Chappaquiddick Community Center, she was also a longtime member of the Woman's Club in Edgartown, a member of Mindful Knitting at the Anchors and a communicant of Saint Andrew's Church.

Marion is survived by her son, Ralph L. Harding 2nd of Brooklyn, N.Y., and his son, Eric, who is presently serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq, and by her daughter, Stephanie Duckworth, and her husband, Michael Elliott, of New Brunswick, N.J., and by her two-and-a-half-year-old grandson, Major, who had spent an enjoyable and meaningful summer with her. She was the former spouse of Alan Duckworth and was predeceased by her former husband, George Wallace of Maine.

Graveside funeral services, under the direction of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home were held at New Westside Cemetery in Edgartown on Nov. 10 with the Rev. Robert Edmunds officiating. Prayer was offered by Aquinnah tribal chief F. Ryan Malonson, with the Black Brook Drum, and a solo by Tobias J. Vanderhoop. An afternoon of fellowship was shared by her many friends at the American Legion Hall at Katama following the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Chappaquiddick Community Center Inc., P.O. Box 2966, Edgartown, MA 02539.